Uni in bid to appeal ruling on dismissal

A QUEENSLAND university that unlawfully sacked a professor for criticising colleagues for their research on the impact of global warming on the Great Barrier Reef is appealing the ruling.

James Cook University is appealing the Brisbane Federal Circuit Court’s finding that it contravened the Fair Work Act when it dismissed Cairns-based Peter Vincent Ridd in 2018.

Judge Salvatore Vasta made 28 findings in April 2019 against the university, which censured Prof Ridd for remarks against a coral researcher, the Australian Institute of Marine Science and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies.

The university was later ordered to pay Prof Ridd more than $1.2 million for lost income, lost future income and other costs.

Before sacking the geophysicist, the university alleged Prof Ridd had violated its code of conduct during an August 2017 interview on Sky News when he remarked some of the university’s research could “no longer be trusted”.

Judge Vasta found the university’s actions, including the dismissal, were unlawful.

The university’s lawyer, Bret Walker SC, said the university was responsible for enforcing standards of behaviour to protect intellectual freedom and the code of conduct.

He said staff had the right to intellectual freedom and the right to express certain views but not bully, harass or intimidate others.

“Freedom … is not without limit, restriction or standard,” he told the court.

The two-day hearing continues.